Payson shelves proposed roundabout

PAYSON — A proposed roundabout on 800 South has been put on the shelf following a unanimous vote by the City Council.

The Wednesday night decision was a rare show of unity by the council on a project associated with a proposed recreation complex planned for the now-razed Payson Downs racetrack site.

The decision spares a corner section of property owned by Don Daley. Daley said losing the property would have negatively impacted the aesthetics surrounding a historic adobe home built in the 1860s. Daley, who feared the city might use its condemnation powers to take the land, has spent years restoring the home and making the surrounding property a showcase. The property has been in his family for more than three generations.

In past years, Daley has sold portions of the original five-acre parcel to the Nebo School District to aid construction at adjacent Payson High and to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for a seminary building.

The council shied away from any discussion of condemnation and, instead, voted to build just the east half of the roundabout as part of the proposed sports park at Main Street and 800 South. That will include two 100-foot radius corners.

Daley's park-like property, where he and his wife have lived for 38 years, is on the southwest corner. The elderly Daley feared the city would take a huge chunk out of his remaining half acre, including a leg off a U-shaped driveway and some trees.

A majority of the council, Jan Tanner, Max Roberts and Colleen Jacobson, have controlled the recreation center controversy over the past several months. They joined Councilmen Brad Daley, a distant cousin of Don Daley, and Bertis Bills in settling the roundabout issue.

The council directed city staffers to come up with a cost analysis before a decision is made whether traffic lights or stop signs will control the intersection. Traffic in the area moves north and south on Main Street between downtown and Payson High School and east and west from I-15 through the planned sports park via an extension of 800 South.

"This has been difficult on everybody," said City Administrator Andy Hall. City leaders have received numerous letters opposing the roundabout and other recreation issues. The anonymous letters were the most vicious, he said.

"It's been so hurtful and hateful and mean," he said. "I hope we can get past this and start to heal."

A ball field complex is currently under construction at the site. Residents should be playing ball on the new $1.2 million ball fields by this fall, Hall said. Still in the discussion stage are a proposed swimming pool complex and an indoor recreation center.

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